MATUPI, Chin State — Resistance forces in northern Chin State have imposed an indefinite closure of key transportation routes in and out of Matupi to protect civilians from a surge in military airstrikes and potential infiltration by junta informants.
The Chin Brotherhood (CB), which has controlled the town since seizing it from the sham government’s military in June 2024, announced the temporary suspension of all commercial trucking starting March 26, 2026.
Local officials stated that the decision was driven by the persistent threat of aerial bombardment. “The military has been dropping bombs almost continuously,” a Matupi-based source told MPA. “By restricting the flow of cargo trucks, we are reducing the risk to drivers and travelers, while also preventing junta spies from slipping into the town amidst the heavy traffic.”
The closure affects the critical Mindat-Matupi and Matupi-Paletwa road sections, effectively cutting off the town’s primary links to external supply chains.
While the move is seen as a tactical necessity, it has sparked significant concern among the local population regarding the rising cost of living. Matupi relies heavily on external shipments for essential goods, and the halt in transportation is expected to exacerbate an already dire economic situation.
“We depend on trucks from outside the township for almost everything,” a resident explained. “With the roads closed, the supply chain has almost completely stopped. We are worried that commodity prices will skyrocket—especially since fuel costs are already at record highs.”
Despite the military’s loss of ground control in the region, its air force continues to strike urban centers. On March 17 alone, Matupi was hit by three separate waves of airstrikes from jet fighters. Earlier on March 11, several bombs struck residential wards in the town center, causing widespread damage.
Military analysts suggest that the intensified air campaign is part of a broader strategy to punish populations living in resistance-held territories. As Matupi remains a key stronghold for the Chin Brotherhood, the town’s residents are caught between the immediate danger of bombs from above and the looming threat of economic isolation below.
The resistance forces have yet to announce a date for the reopening of the routes, stating that the measures will remain in place as long as the security threat persists.
